Singing Steel Tongue Drum & Koonlao Drum (ft. Kristian & Jacob)
From Propane Tank to Global Groove — The Story of the Steel Tongue Drum
It all started with a spark of inspiration.
In the early 2000s, American musician and maker Dennis Havlena was captivated by the enchanting sounds of the Hang Drum, a rare Swiss creation with a price and mystique to match. But Dennis had a vision: to make that kind of magic more accessible—to bring those soothing, meditative tones into the hands of music lovers everywhere.
So he grabbed a 20-pound propane tank, cut melodic slits (or “tongues”) into its surface, and tuned each one by adjusting its length. What emerged was a beautiful, handcrafted steel drum he called the Hank Drum—a playful fusion of the words Hang and Tank.
Instead of keeping it to himself, Dennis did something extraordinary: he shared his creation freely with the world, posting instructions online so that anyone, anywhere, could build their own.
That single act of generosity sparked a global movement.
Makers everywhere began crafting their own variations—each one unique, each one inspired by that original act of ingenuity. Today, the steel tongue drum is played in yoga studios, schools, healing spaces, music festivals, and homes across the globe.
And it all began with one man, one idea, and one humble propane tank.
